There are many over-the-counter products available for heartburn, but there are also some great natural approaches to curing heartburn. You can get rid of heartburn naturally by using an herbal remedy, changing your diet, or by adjusting your lifestyle. If your heartburn does not improve within a couple of weeks or if the pain is severe, then you should see your doctor.

Steps

Method1

Using Herbal Remedies

1

Drink aloe vera juice. Aloe vera juice stimulates mucus production in your stomach, so it might help with heartburn.[1] Keep in mind that aloe vera juice also has a laxative effect, so try drinking a small amount at first. For example, you might try drinking about ¼ of a cup to see how it affects you.

If this amount helps with your heartburn and does not cause any diarrhea, then it might be a good remedy to use as needed. If you get diarrhea from this amount, then this treatment might not be for you.

2

Sip a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile has been used to treat stomach conditions such as ulcers and ulcerative colitis, so it may help with heartburn as well.[2] You can buy chamomile tea bags in the grocery store or use dried herbs.

If using dried herbs, place about one teaspoon of the herbs into a tea infuser in a mug and pour eight ounces of boiling water into the mug.

Let the tea steep for about five minutes, then remove the infuser.

Wait for the tea to cool down a bit and then drink.

Drink a cup of chamomile tea after every meal to help with heartburn.

3

Chew on deglycyrrhizinated licorice root (DGL) tablets. DGL tablets can provide relief for heartburn by coating and soothing the stomach. Look for DGL tablets that are specially formulated for indigestion and heartburn, such as Iberogast and STW 5.[3] You can find DGL tablets in health food stores.

Check with your doctor before taking DGL tablets, especially if you are currently taking prescription drugs. DGL can interact with some medications, including digoxin, ace-inhibitors, corticosteroids, insulin, oral contraceptives, blood thinners, and diuretics.[4]

Some people should not take DGL tablets including those who are pregnant, or who have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or erectile dysfunction.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

4

Take slippery elm. Slippery elm may help with heartburn by increasing mucous production in your stomach. Try taking a 500 milligram capsule of slippery elm with a full glass of water three to four times per day for up to eight weeks.[5]

Make sure that you check with your doctor before taking slippery elm, especially if you are taking a prescription medication. This herb is not known to interact with any medications, but it may slow absorption.

Method2

Changing Your Diet

1

Start a heartburn food and drink diary. Start writing down everything that you eat and drink to determine what foods give you heartburn. Make a note in your food diary any time that eating or drinking something gives you heartburn. Over time you will begin to see patterns and learn what foods you should avoid.

For example, you may notice that you tend to get heartburn about an hour after your morning cup of coffee each day. You may then decide to switch to tea or a latte.

2

Limit foods that are known to cause heartburn. Some foods have a reputation for causing heartburn, so it is best to avoid these foods or at least limit them as much as possible. These foods include:[6]

Citrus fruit

Caffeinated beverages

Chocolate

Tomatoes

Garlic

Onions

Alcohol

Fatty foods

Spicy foods

3

Eat small, frequent meals. Eating large meals can cause heartburn as well, so try to stick to small frequent meals instead. For example, instead of eating three big meals per day, eat six small meals spread throughout the day.[7]

4

Try apple cider vinegar. You may be able to get rid of heartburn by drinking an apple cider vinegar solution. Apple cider vinegar decreases the secretion of stomach acid because it essentially "fools" the stomach into thinking that the acid has already been secreted. The stomach believes it has already done its job and the acid secretion is reduced. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with six ounces of water and drink the solution.[8]

5

Chew a stick of gum after every meal. Chewing a stick of gum after a meal has been shown to reduce heartburn symptoms. You can chew a stick of regular gum or look for a specially formulated heartburn gum called GutsyGum. This brand of gum was shown to have more drastic effects on heartburn than regular chewing gum, but regular chewing gum will help as well.[9]

Method3

Adjusting Your Lifestyle

1

Wear loose fitting-clothing. Tight clothing also puts extra pressure on your stomach, which may lead to heartburn. Choose clothes that are loose and comfortable to help reduce this factor. For example, you might try wearing clothes that have an elastic waistband or clothes that provide a few extra inches of room around your waist.[10]

2

Elevate the head of your bed. Raising the entire head of your bed up by about eight inches (20 centimeters) can help with heartburn. Make sure that you raise the entire head of the bed and do not just use extra pillows. Place a couple of bricks or pieces of wood under the legs at the head of your bed.[11]

3

Manage stress. Severe stress may worsen heartburn for some people, so it is important to find ways of keeping stress under control.[12] There are many positive ways to manage stress. Some good options include:

Getting more exercise. Regular exercise can help to reduce stress and provide other health benefits as well. Take 30 minutes per day to go for a walk, ride a bike, or take an exercise class. Find something that you enjoy and make it part of your daily routine.

Reaching out to someone. Talking to a friend or loved one may also help to reduce stress. The next time you are feeling stressed, call a friend or meet up with someone to talk.

Setting aside time for yourself each day. Another great way to reduce stress is to take time to do something that you want to do every day. For example, you might read a book, take a bubble bath, or watch a funny movie.[13]

4

Quit smoking. Smoking can make heartburn symptoms worse as well as cause many other health problems. If you smoke, then do whatever you can to quit. Try asking your doctor for information about medications and smoking cessation programs that may help.[14]

5

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can also make heartburn symptoms worse, especially if you carry most of your excess weight around your abdomen. If you are overweight or obese, then try to [[Lose Weight|lose weight] and maintain a healthy weight to help control your heartburn.[15]

6

Get more sleep. Not getting enough sleep may also be contributing to your heartburn. Try to get more sleep and see if that improves your heartburn. If heartburn is interfering with your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep, talk to your doctor. You may need to take an antacid at night to help you get more sleep.[16]

7

Ask your doctor if any of your medications may be to blame. If you take medications, try asking your doctor if any of your medications could be causing your heartburn. If heartburn is a side effect of one of your medications, then your doctor may be able to change your dosage or switch you to a different medication to see if that helps.

If you are taking an over-the-counter medicine, such as an NSAID, then this might be causing your heartburn. Try not taking it for a few days to see if that helps.

Other medications that may cause heartburn include antibiotics, bisphosphonates, iron supplements, quinidine, and potassium supplements.[17]

Do not stop taking any of your medications without talking to your doctor first.